Dark horse Dem in LD9?

For the Arizona Democratic Party, led in the House by Rep. Phil Lopes (D-Tucson), optimism meets caution when discussing their chances at taking control of the Arizona House in November. 

"It's a moving target," said Lopes, Arizona House Minority Leader, of the drive Democrats are making to net four House seats this fall, thereby handing the speaker's gavel over to him. "Things are going on all the time."

As evidence of this state of flux, Lopes mentioned that another Democratic candidate was looking toward a run in Legislative District 9.

"I got a call an hour ago from somebody who's just decided she'd like to run in LD9," he said.

Though Lopes wouldn't mention a name, or even whether the potential candidate would be going for a seat in the House or Senate, he did say she was "high quality."

"She'll decide in the next two days," said Lopes.

As for the other races where Democratic challengers are taking on Republican opponents, Lopes wouldn't pinpoint where the focus lies. Instead, he spoke more about which seats they're trying to keep.

Districts 17 and 24, currently all-Democrat, were high on the priority list, said Lopes, as well as LD26, which is a Republican-leaning district currently represented by a Democratic senator and House member - one of whom is not running for re-election, and the other of whom replaced a first-term representative. However, 26 also represents a unique opportunity to gain a seat in the House for Democrats, as Rep. Pete Hershberger (R-Tucson) is termed out and running for the Senate.

One district Lopes did say the Democrats were definitely interested in was LD25.

"When [Avra Valley Rep.] Jennifer Burns decided not run again - bingo!" said Lopes. "That should be our seat anyway."